Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal September 11, 2010:
Governor, Gurbachan Jagat today announced that his secretariat will institute an award to be conferred to the best Manipuri feature film from next year 2011. Addressing the inaugural function of the 7th Manipur State Film Festival-2010 held at MFDC complex, Palace gate in the afternoon, the Governor said that the award will be instituted in the film festival next year.
The current festival which would continued till September 20 is being organized by the Manipur Film Development Corporation in collaboration with various bodies working in the field of cinema.
One celluloid feature film and 13 video feature films will be screened during the 10 day festival.
The Governor was, however, unhappy with the absence of feature or non-feature films/videos in tribal dialects in the festival and said "The tribals of Manipur also have a rich cultural heritage and their folklore is replete with beautiful tales of romance and heroism which will provide the materials for those desirous to make films/videos on the tribes concerned".
It is important that the absence of feature or non-feature films/videos in tribal dialects in the festival deserves attention not only of the MFDC but also of all lovers of Manipuri cinema, the governor said asserting that cinema being a powerful medium of cultural exchange, films/videos made in any language other than Manipuri can be dubbed or sub-titled for the larger audience not only for profit but also to also play a cementing role of cultural ties among the different communities of the state.
He expressed hope that with a little enterprising spirit and preferably coupled with some incentives from the MFDC, film makers will be capable of delivering the goods.
The chief guest also lauded the MFDC's presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Book on Manipuri Cinema Award and Best Film Critic Award in the festival stating that "It is a matter of satisfaction".
On learning that a celluloid feature film and 13 video feature films have been chosen by the selection committee of the 7th Manipur State Film Festival-2010, Gurbachan said the large number of entries is indicative of the interest shown by artistes and technicians in Manipur to produce films in the digital format.
Manipuri cinema has strugggled through four decades, beginning with 35 mm black and white films to the production of videos.
Of late in the last two decades have become significant with the production and release of films for mass education and entertainment, he said.
The inauguration function which was attended by various renowned film activists and artistes was marked by pena recital by national award winner Khangembam Mangi.
An exhibition of around 100 photographs (black and white, and colour) related with film was also opened by the Governor.